It’s already been a busy day for the Florida Panthers.
Heading into hour #2 of the first day of free-agency, the Panthers have already locked up Jose Theodore, Scottie Upshall and Ed Jovanovski.
Jovanovski, who’s deal is reportedly for four years and will pay him $16.4 million in that time ($4.125M cap-hit), has played for the Phoenix Coyotes for the past five seasons, will return to the team that drafted him 17 years ago.
Jovanovski, 35, adds a veteran presence to a young Florida blue line. The team recently added Brian Campbell at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, so Jovanovski is yet another veteran that this team needed.
The 6’3” 221 lb. defenseman will add a big shot from the blue line as well as a tough bag of knuckles in front of his net. In 50 games last season, Jovanovski had 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points and 39 penalty minutes.